Business Wear, Black Tie Affair

would you be influenced?

Dear Fashion Expert,

I normally like my suits very well-fitted and a little trendier rather than classic, in terms of style. The problem is I'm a young professional rapidly climbing the echelons of my organization, where perception is everything. My bosses all wear very conservative and rather boring suits. What will they think about my dressing habits and personal style?

John, on his way up

Think of it this way; if they really cared so much about the way you dressed, they probably wouldn't have hired you in the first place. Be yourself, and don't worry so much about your peers judging your dressing style. My point is, you don't have to wear a plaid suit jacket with pleated pants just because your bosses do. Instead, focus on excelling at work.

But this doesn't mean you should rock the boat either. Dress smartly, not necessarily conservatively, and get props instead of gawks. Just so you know, slim suits look fine, but tight suits lean toward the tacky side.

starching your shirt

Mr. Rovny,

I absolutely love the crisp and neat look of starched shirts. Starching helps harden the collar, making it hold all day long. The only drawback is that my shirts seem to deteriorate much faster when starched often. Should I look for better quality shirts or does starching actually damage my shirts?

B. Siegel California

You've got to love the clean and sharp look of a freshly starched shirt. Unfortunately, starching regularly will shorten the lifespan of your shirts. Eventually, your shirt collar will come out of the laundry frayed, ready for gardening or painting. That's the price to pay for looking like a million bucks.

If you can afford regular starching of your shirts, then by all means, have them starched after every wear. If you're on a tighter budget, then my advice is to starch your shirts occasionally, for more important events. Or, you can always starch the one or two shirts that you absolutely love showing off.